** American knows best

4cyl non-diesel BMW's are frowned upon here too



I just don't see why the US should be considered more knowledgeable, or more enthused , about their cars than Europeans, or any other place in the world.

Originally Posted by Safar

Yeah I always wondered about the remaining bit as well. But like I said, I wouldn't say US cars are lower spec, just different. And whether US buyers are less demanding... not so sure either.

On the other hand you could argue that there is fiercer competition in the performance car market in the US. Whereas people here usually buy a BMW or Audi to serve as some silly status symbol, I've always told myself that Americans appreciate them as luxury/performance cars, as the manufacturer intended them to be. Probably also explains why you can't buy a 4 cilinder BMW in the States, or e.g. cloth seats.

Who can tell?

I personally think that no diesels in the US says more about US car buying habits than no 4 cylinder motors. The M57 was/is hugely capable and more efficient than the equivalent petrols - not factors that, until recently, the average American was concerned with. Differing specs for differing markets? It's puzzling as to why Individual and some of the more alluring options weren't/aren't offered in the US - the market is huge in the US and Munich could make some serious cash doing this...